Assessing the vulnerability of social-environmental system from the perspective of hazard, sensitivity, and resilience: a case study of Beijing, China

Despite a recent increase in the number of vulnerability analyses there has been relatively little discussion of vulnerability assessment of social-environment system, especially when they face multiple hazards. In this study, we developed an applicable and convenient method to assess vulnerability of social-environment system at a regional scale. Vulnerability is quantified by measuring three critical elements (i.e. hazards, sensitivity, and resilience) through some key variables. The results showed that vulnerability is high in Miaofeng Mountain in Mengtougou District, the hills of Pinggu County and the riparian zones of the lower courses of the Beiyun and Yongding Rivers; but low in the city of Beijing and the southwestern part of the Fangshan District. Areas of very high, high, medium, and low-vulnerability account for 6.19, 25.48, 33.06, and 35.27% of the total area, respectively. The degree of vulnerability decreases in a northwest direction in mountainous areas and declines from watercourses to riparian zones along a lateral direction in the plain. Some adaptive strategies are also proposed.